| Without quite outright saying so to each other, Martha and I both knew as 1996 dawned that it was time to think seriously about uniting in marriage. We had done a tiny bit of engagement ring shopping together right after Christmas, but (right or wrong) I appointed myself in charge of choosing a diamond/setting. One Saturday afternoon in mid-January, I made a secret visit to Martha's parents in New Albany, IN. I don't think the trip was so much about seeking "permission" for their daughter's hand as it was to let them know that something big was imminent (maybe along with an unspoken "and I hope you're okay with that"); my target for a proposal/presentation of ring was Saturday, February 3, one day shy of the anniversary of our first date. Austin and Kay were happy with my news, and promised to keep my visit unmentioned. | | The search for a ring over those weeks included stops in Georgetown, New Albany, and of course, Lexington. Not too long after traveling to Indiana, I journeyed to Lex to check out Miller & Woodward, a jeweler located in a strip mall on Nicholasville Rd., wherein I found it, an almost-close-enough-to-perfect balance between beauty and affordability. I chose to stretch to make the purchase. | | After the fact, I learned from Dad that 34 years earlier he'd purchased the engagement ring he gave my mother from Miller & Woodward, when they'd been located downtown. (The owners retired and closed the business more than a decade ago). | | Thirty years ago this evening, I gave the ring to Martha while we were dining at Giuseppe's, a swell Italian place on the south side of Lexington. This evening, weather permitting–slushy snow is in the forecast–we're going back there to denote the occasion. | | It's time for music. A plethora of fine modern rock tunes await us. | | 38. Son Volt, "Drown"
One of two important bands to emerge from the breakup of Uncle Tupelo. I've paid far more attention to Jeff Tweedy and Wilco over the years, but can't help thinking I've missed out by not reserving more time for both Uncle Tupelo and Jay Farrar's Son Volt. | | 35. Poe, "Trigger Happy Jack"
There's heavy competition from #31 and (especially) #10 below, but "You can't talk to a PSYCHO like a NORMAL HUMAN BEING" is certainly a contender for most iconic lyric this go-round. | | 33. Loud Lucy, "Ticking"
Don't know a thing about this band other that they hailed from Chicago. Just thought it was a neat tune when I discovered it last week and I should share it with the world. Christian Lane, the vocalist, shows up to thank folks for their support in the comments for this clip on YT. | | 31. The Presidents of the United States of America, "Peaches"
I remembered there was an unexpected turn of some sort in the video for "Peaches," but had to watch it again a few days ago to remember that it was NINJAS!! attempting (and failing) to subdue the band. Just a fun, silly song. | | 23. Dave Matthews Band, "Satellite"
Third single from the debut album. Like it but heard it maybe a few dozen too many times back in the day. | | 21. Tori Amos, "Caught a Lite Sneeze"
I hadn't listened to Boys for Pele in a very long time, so I gave it a spin yesterday morning while working in my office. I was reminded why I hadn't gotten into it the way I had Little Earthquakes or Under the Pink, but beyond a few overly aggressive, less tuneful pieces among its generous 18 tracks, there really are some fine songs to which I really need to circle back. | | 18. Radiohead, "High and Dry"
A great tune. I think I'll give it a spin or two later today. Maybe you should, too?
| | 16. For Squirrels, "Mighty K.C."
From the what-might-have-been file… Florida band whose singer, bassist, and manager were killed in a traffic accident four weeks before their major-label debut was released. I feel certain that "Mighty K. C.," about Kurt Cobain, would have been about as big a hit as it was even without the tragedy, but the opportunity to build on that success was gone forever. | | 15. Alice in Chains, "Heaven Beside You"
I've been a touch surprised these last couple of years to see that AiC appeared much more on the Mainstream Rock charts during its heyday than its Modern Rock counterpart, but upon reflection, yeah, they were heavier than STP or Pearl Jam. Singer Layne Staley would become yet one more object lesson in the perils of addiction. | | 12. No Doubt, "Just a Girl"
I confess that, while I really liked "Just a Girl" when it appeared, it didn't occur to me that I was witnessing a star-making moment. The lyrics are pitch-perfect, and Gwen Stefani's expressions throughout the video let us know that she intended to hang around a good while. | | 10. Alanis Morisette, "Ironic"
College profs know all too well that any pop culture references they are fortunate enough to glom onto across the decades decidedly age, much like month-old-milk. It's been 10-15 years now since I laid the line, "It's like 10000 spoons when all you need is a knife," on some unsuspecting math majors one afternoon and received nothing but a collection mystified looks and blank stares.
3. Bush, "Glycerine"
I guess I like this one as well as anything these chaps ever did, but it's another tune that I heard far too often on my car radio during the first months of '96. | | 1. Oasis, "Wonderwall"
An exquisitely wrought pop masterpiece, the second of two songs in the Gallaghers' oeuvre worthy of a spot in the canon ("Supersonic" being the other). It's the piece of theirs that almost makes comparisons to the Fab Four not a complete stretch. | | | | |
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